Switchboard call-signal apparatus and circuits



L. W. COOPER.

SWITCHBOARD CALL SIGNAL APPARATUS AND CIRCUITS. APPLx'cATloN FILED MAR.15, ma;

1,427,725. Patenamg. 29, 1922.

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l, WWW/@elf BY ATTORNEY narran srasrtl ortica.

LESTER W. COOPER, OF BROOKLYN, NEI/V YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWIICI-IBOARD ,CALL-SIGNAL AIPARATUS AND CIRCUITS.

mantas.

Application led March 15, 1919.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Lns'rnn W. Coornn, residing` at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State ot New York, have invented certain Improvements in Switchboard Call-Signal Apparatus and Circuits, of which the iollowing is a speciiication.

This invention relates to switchboard call signal apparatus and circuits, and particularly to arrangements for facilitating the answering' of incoming calls.

This invention is related to the invention described in the application of It. IV. Morris `for switchboard call signal apparatus and circuits, filed ot even date herewith.

The said invention provides means, whereby an incoming call is ordinarily indicated only by a corresponding primary answering lamp. In case the operator i'or this position ol the switchboard is busy or not at her position, vthe call is indicated by a secondary lamp at another position, unless also the operator tor 'the secondary lamp is busy or not at her position, in which case the signal is given by a tertiary lamp. In case all three operators are busy the signal is given, in one arrangement, at any desired position, as for example, by the primary answering lamp. In another arrangement, thesignal is given simultaneously by all three answering lamps. In the first case the primary answering lamp is extinguished and one of the other lamps is lit, it the operator at one of the other answering lamps is lirst to become free. In the second arrangement the signal disappears at two of the positions as soon as the operator at the remaining` position becomes tree.

In thc present invention cognizance is taken ot the fact that each answering jack can ordinarily be attended not only by the corresponding operator. but also by the operators adjacent to her on each side. Accordinglythe circuits are so arranged that the secondary answering lamp does not respond to a call, unless all three operators in reach oit' the primary jack are busy. Similarly, the 'tertiary lamp does not respond unless also the three operators in reach ot the secondary jack, are busy. In case all nine operators are busy the signal may be given either by the primary answering lamp alone or by all three answering lamps simultaneously, similarly as described in the above mentioned (3o-pending application.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

Serial No. 282,854.

The manner in which the above and other objects and advantages ofthis invention are obtained is described below, reference being Y had `to the accompanying drawing, in which are indicated nine positions oit a multiple switchboard, namely, positions I, yII and III and positions Ia, Ib, IIA, IIb and IIIn, IIIb, the latter positions being, respectively, lett and right adjacent to the former positions of like Roman numerals. All posit-ions are provided, preferably, with like apparatus, but onthe drawing only such apparatus is illustrated as is necessary for a full and complete understanding of the invention.

Certain apparatus illustrated in the drawing is showny in the above mentioned copending application, and reference may be had thereto for a full description thereof. Briefly, this apparatus comprises (reference being Vhad to position I) a line relay El, responsive to 'a subscribers or otherline circuit; primary, secondary `andtertiary answering lamps designated respectively A1, B1, C1; an auxiliary signal lamp D, responsive to all the answering lamps on the same panel; relays I-Il, K, and L1 in series with said answering lamps and controlling the auxiliary signal lamp; and a relay G, for controlling the circuits of the answering lamps.

Like apparatus isshown at position II and III, the parts thereon being designated by the saniereterence characters with subscripts corresponding to the numeral of `the position withV which the apparatus is associated. Although none of the parts so far described are shown at the positions adjacent I, II and III it is to be understood that these positions are preferably equipped with like apparatus, which, however, has been omitted 'from the drawing in order to avoid unnecessary complication.

The said co-pending application also describes the manner in which the answering lamps are controlled by the relays G1, G2 and Normally each of these relays is unenergized and holds closed the circuits for the answering lamps of the same position. Thus relay G, normally maintains closed the circuit 'for primary lamp A1, which circuit includes battery F1, relay H1, lamp A, and a contact ot relay El. Similarly, relay G2 normally closes the circuit for secondary lamp B1, which circuit comprises battery F1,

'front contact 4; of relay G1, wire 10, back 110 contact 11 of relay G2, wire 12, relay K2, wire 13, lamp B2, wire 14 and a contact of relay El. Likewise, relay G3 normally closes the circuit of tertiary lamp C3, the circuit of this lamp comprising battery F1, front contact 4? of relay G wire 10, iront contact 11 oit relay G2, wire 21, back contact 16 of relay G2, wire 17, relay L2, wire 18, lamp C2, wire 15 and a contactfoil relay El. The circuits governing the other answeringlamps of thepboard are similar, but not entering the present description, are not traced separately.

From the above lcircuits it follows that when relay G'1 is not energized the circuit for primary lamp A, is closed, so that this lamp responds to an energization of relay El. In case, however, relay G1 is energized, relay G2 remaining unenergized, the circuit for the secondary lamp B2 is closed, so that the secondary lamp responds to an energization of relay Ei. Finally, if bothrelays G1 and G2 are energized, relay G3 remaining unenergized, the circuit for tertiary lamp C, is closed, so that the tertiary lamp responds to an energization of relayv El.,

When relay G3 is energized it closes at front contact 16 a connection 19 Ito the circuit of the primary lamp A1, so that this lamp is supplied with' current by battery F, through front contact l of relay G1, front Contact 11 of relay G2` and front contact 16 of relay G3, provided allthree relays G1, G2 and G2 are'in an energized condition at the time when relay E, is closed. As soon. as one of the relays G1, G2, or G, is deenergized it opens the above circuit and closes the circuit of the corresponding` answering lamp, causingit to respond to the energization of relay E2.

' In the present invention the circuit for each of the relays G, G2 and G 2 is so controlled that each relay is energized only when its position and the positions adjacent thereto are busy simultaneously. (A position is described herein as busy when the operator is not at the position or is engaged with a previous call or other duty.)

To effect this control of relay G, there are provided relays R1, V, and W, located respectively in positions 1 I and Ib, each of these relays being so controlled that it is energized onlyl when its position is busy. For this purpose the positions are provided with contacts 6, 7 and 8 of which contact 6 is on the relay N1, of the operators telephone set and closed when she is not at her position, and contacts 7 and 8 are respectively actuated by the listening` and call circuit keys, and closed when the operator is talking to a subscriber or another operator. The circuits of the above relays are controlled by contacts 6, 7 and 8in parallel that the relays are energized when any one of lthe contacts is closed, in other Words,

of relay B1, so that relay when the corresponding` positions are busy. :it is understood that certain of these contacts may be omitted or others may be added according to the circumstances which ae to be met.

The circuit of relay 1G, comprises battery F1, relay G1, wire 25, Contact 26 of relay V1, contact 27 oit relay lll, and contact 28 G1 is not energized unless relays B2, V, and lll, are all operated at the same time. lt Afollows, therefore, that relay G1 does not close normally open contact a until positions 12 and l, are busy as well as position I. 1n similar manner relay G2 is governed by relays R2, V2 and W2 in positions 11 H and 11b. VVLikewise relay G3 is governed by relays B2, V, and lV, located respectively in positions 1112, H1 and IIlb.

lilliththe above descrintion of the apparatus and circuits in mind, a better understanding of the invention may be had from a description of the operation thereof.

Normally relay G1 is unenergized because the contacts of relays R1, V1 and l?, are open as 'stated hereinbefore. YVhen, therefore, a call comes in on relay El, it is indicated by primary lamp A1, so that the operator at position l may answer the same in the usual manner.

ln case this operator is busy, or not at her position, the relay V1 is energized in the manner described previously. This has no effect on relay G1 because its circuit remains open at relays R., and `W1 in the adjacent positions. Consequently. when a call comes in on relay E, it is indicated by lamp A1, so that it may be answered by the operator at either of the adjacent positions.

lf position l, and one of the adjacent positions, say l2, are busy simultaneously, both relays V, and B, are closed. Nevertheless, relay G, remains unenergizcd because its circuit is still open at relay WT, of position L. When a call comes in under these conditions on relay E, it is, therefore,

'indicated by primary lamp A1, so that the operator in the adjacent position 1b may answer the same in the usual manner.

In case, however, position I and both ot the adjacent positions are busy simultaneously, the relays ll, V, andlV1 close the circuit for relay G1, so that the latter relay opens at back contact 4 the circuit for the primary answering lamp A, and closes at the front contact the circuit for the secondary answering lamp B2 in position H. Under these conditions, a call coming` in on relay E, is indicated by the secondary answering lamp B2, so that the operator at position II may proceed to answer the call,or if she is busy, one of the operators adjacent to her.

Should, however, positions Il, H2, and 11b be busy simultaneously, the relays V2,

ll, and W2 clos-e the circuit for relay G2, causing this relay to open atback conwith said line circuit, means for selectively tactil the circuit for lamp and close at the front contact the circuit tor lamp C3. lVhen, therefore, a call comes in on relay E, and positions 1 and 11 and their adjacent positions are busy, thecall is indicated by the tertiarylamp at position 1H, so that the operator at `this position may answer the same, or if she is busy one of the operators adjacent to her.

In case position 11.1, Illu and 111 are busy, relays V3, R3 and VJ, close the circuit oit relay G1, which relay then breaks the circuit ot the tertiary lamp C, at back Contact 1G and closes at the front contact the connection 19 to the primary lamp. As the result a call cominov in on relay El is indicated by prin'iary lamp A, if all nine positions are busy at the time when the call comes in.

This indication is but temporary, Jfor, las soon as any one oi' the nine positions becomes unoccupied, one of the relaysGrl, G2 or G3 returns to its normal, i. e., unenergized, condition thus opening the last mentioned circuit ot the primary lamp and closing the circuit ol the corresponding primary, secondary or tertiary lamp, as the case may be, so that the operator who is tree to answer the call may proceed to answer the same without delay. For instance, it' it is the operator at position lla who first to become tree to answer the call her ,relay R2 releases the moment she is unoccupied and thus breaks the circuit of relay G2, which in turn opens at lront contact ll the circuit oi' the primary lamp A, and closes at the back contact the circuitffor secondarylamp B2. Primary lamp A, is thus extinguished and lamp B2 is lit, thus indicating to the operator at position Il, that there is a call awaiting her attention.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides -for a maximum hexibility in the distribution ot calls, while at the same time it causes the signal to be given at only that posi tion of the switchboard where there is an operator ready to answer it, thus avoiding the confusion and delay incident to the common multiple lamp system where several operators oit'ten attempt to answer the saine c. ll; Furthermore,,while the invention selects among nine operators to answer a call, each subscribes line is brought out at only three `positions; thus giving not only maximum flexibility, but also `elative economy in panel space.

although only one 'form o' 'the invention is sho'wnlierein, it is understood that various chai'iges and modiiications may be made within the scope oit the following claims, without departing from the spirit and scope ot the invention. y

lVhat is claimed is:

l. 1n a multiple telephone switchboard, a

line circuit, means at a plurality of positions ot said switchboard responsively associated determining the means at one ot said' positions to respond to said circuit, devices associated with a greater number ot' positions than said plurality for governing said selective means, the devices at each ot said greater number of positions being like those at the others of such greater number of positions and standing in like relation to said selective means, and apparatus whereby the busy or 'free condition of the said greater number ot positions governs said devices.

2. In a telephone switchboard having a plurality of positions, means at one position of said plurality responsively associated with said line circuit, like devices at said plurality of positions connected alike for controlling said responsive means, and apparatus where-- by the busy or free condition of the said plurality of positions govern said like devices.

3. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a plurality of adjacent positions, means at one of said positions `for indicating a call and like means responsive in like manner to the simultaneous busy condition ot said positions for preventing the operation ot said indicating means;

4. In combination, a plurality ot' adjacent positions of a telephone switchboard, means at one of said positions Jfor indicating a call, and like means at each ot said plurality or" positions operating automatically and in like manner to prevent the operation of said indicating means when all ot said positions are busy.

5. ln a multiple telephone switchboard, a number ot positions spaced from each other by adjacent intervening positions, means at each position of said number oit positions for indicating an incoming call, and like means at one of said positions and at an adjacent position `tor preventing in like manner the operation of saidymeans for indicating at said position. i

6. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a

line circuit, an indicating device at one posi-y mall o aen circuit for overninff said rela contacts for automatically closing said circuit, and like apparatus at a plurality ot positions connected in like manner to control said contacts according to the busy condition o those positions. c

8. In combination, a plurality of positions iso of a telephone switchboard, means at one of said positions for indicating a call, like means at each of said positions automatically operative when the respective positions are busy to prevent the operation of said indicating nfxeans, and like means for causing said preventive means to be effective only when the positions are busy simultaneously.

9. ln combination, a plurality of positions ot a telephone switchboard, a relay at each position automatically energized when the position is busy, an indication circuit, means for closing` said circuit in response to a call, and means controlled in like manner by said relays to open said indication circuit when each of the relays is energized.

l0. ln a switchboard having; a plurality of positions, a line circuit, a device at one position normally responsive to said circuit, a device at another position at times responsive to said circuit, a relay for governing said devices, like circuit' controllers at said one position and an adjacent position for governing said relay, and apparatus whereby the busy or free condition ot the said one position and said adjacent position govern in like manner the said circuit controller.

l1. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a line circuit, a primary and a secondary la ip responsive thereto, a relay for normally causing only said primary lamp toY respond'to said circuit and means for operating` said relay to cause said secondary lamp to respond to said circuit, said means comprisingV contacts automatically governed alike by the busy or tree'cor` .ion ot the position corresponding to the primary lamp and a position adjacent thereto.

12. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a line circuit, a. primary and a secondary lamp responsive thereto, a relay for normally causing said primary lamp to respond to said circuit, contacts at the position of the primary lamp and like contacts at anV ad-v jacent position, like means whereby said contacts are governed by the busy or free condition of their respective positions, and a circuit or said relay governed in like manner by said contacts and responsive to actuate said relay to cause said secondary lamp to respond to said line circuit when both contacts are in the conditioncorresponding to the busy condition of their respective positions.

13. In a telephone switchboard having a plurality of positions, a line circuit, indicating means at one position responsive thereto, a circuit for said indicating,- means, airst relay for normally closing` said circuit, a second relay for the position of said indicating means, a third relay for the position adjacent thereto, said secondv and third relays being alike, like means for automatically actuating said second and third relays when the correspondingv positions are busy, and

means for governing the circuit of said iirst relay in like manner by said second and third relays.

la. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a primary, a secondary and a tertiary answering,- lamp, said lamps being located at different positions'ot` the switchboard, means Jfor causing ordinarily the response ot only the primary lamp to` an incoming,- call, means for automatically causing,` the response of only said secondary lamp when the position containing` the primary lamp and the adj acent positions are busy, said means being alike for said position and adjacent positions and connected to the rest or the system in like manner, and means Ylor automatically causing` the response ot only the tertiary lamp if also the position containing` said secondary lamp and the adjacent positions busy, said last mentioned means being alike 'for the position ot the secondary lamp and the said adjacent positions and connected in like manner to the remainder of the system,

l5. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a primari, a secondary and a tertiary answering` lamp, said lamps being located at different positions of the switchboard, means for causing` ordinarily the response of onlv the primary lamp to an incoming call, means for causing the response of only said secondary lamp when the position containing the primary lamp and the adjacent positions are busy, means for causing the response of only the tertiary lamp, it also the position containing said secondary lamp and the adjacent positions are busy, and means for causing` the response of said primary lamp to said call if all of said positions and their dj aeent postions are busy.

lo. in a multiple telephone switchboard, a circuit comprising a plurality or branches, one vfor each of a plurality of positions, moans in each branch for indicating an inf-oniinp,- call., a normally closed contact in the lirst branch, a normally open and a normally closed contact in each succeeding branch, means at each position operative when said position is busy, as well as the positions adjacent on each side, tor opening the normally closed contact of the correspendingbranch and closing the normally open contact of the succeeding branch, and means operative on opening oi' the normally closed contacts of all of said branches for causing an operation of the indicating,` means in a predetermined one of said branches.

17. In a multiple telephone switchboard, a circuit comprising a plurality of branches, one for each of a plurality of positions, means -in each branch for indicating an incoming call, a normally closed contact in the lirst branch, a normally open and a normally closed contact in each succeeding branch, means at each position operative when the said position is busy, as Well as the positions adjacent on each side, for opening the normally closed contact o1I the corresponding branch and closing the normally open contact of the succeeding branch, and an electrical connection to the iirst branch to bridge the normally closed contact therein When all of said normally closed contacts are open.

18. lin a multiple telephone switchboard, a device for indicating a call, concurrent means for preventing the functioning of said device When certain positions of the board are busy, and means governed concurrently by the busy or free condition of certain other positions of the board for at times rendering said first mentioned means ineective to prevent the functioning of Said device.

19. In a switchboard having a number of groups oi positions arranged in a designated order, the combination of means for indicating a call only at the first group having a free position with means for causingan indication of said call at a predetermined group when all' the positions of all the groups are busy.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this .fourteenth clay of March 1919.

LESTER W. COPER. 

